Adjustable Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Trainer

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a proprioceptive training device that is systematically modifiable and progressively challenging for its user. The Adjustable Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Training (APNT) device can be used as an adjustable wobble proprioceptive training device or converted into an adjustable rocker proprioceptive training device using an optional rocker board accessory.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to proprioception training devices. Currently all other proprioceptive balance training devices such as wobble boards and rocker boards contain a major flaw in neuromuscular proprioceptive training concepts.

The major flaw is that the pivot point is on the ground which results in the entire training surface deviating from the vertical midpoint and shifting the user's center of mass. The new center of mass forces the longitudinal axis to shift which results in trunk and spinal column compensation. The deviation of the vertical midpoint and new center of mass leads to alterations in stability and neuromuscular control, as well as faulty movement patterns, tissue overload, arthrokinematic inhibition, altered force-couple relationships, and altered reciprocal inhibition which ultimately results in synergistic dominance and forces transferred to other portions of the kinetic chain. When forces are transferred to other portions of the kinetic chain this creates overload of the feedback-control circuit between the central nervous system and musculoskeletal system and inhibits appropriate kinesthetic conscious awareness and muscle coordination necessary to maintain balance. All of the current balance training devices create abnormal sensory input, slow activating prime movers and reliance and recruitment of synergists and stabilizers.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention relates generally to proprioceptive or balance training devices. The APNT has a top surface and bottom surface that is connected with a center assembly that contains a pivot point at the level of the top surface which minimizes multiaxial deviation of the top surface from the vertical midpoint. Because of the APNT's pivot point location the training surface moves in a natural up and down motion with no side to side shifting or changing centers of mass. The longitudinal axis remains centered directly over the pivot point allowing for appropriate movement sequencing which creates appropriate musculoskeletal responses during functional movement and creates maximal joint stabilization and maximal sensory input into the central nervous system. The appropriate neuromuscular responses increase the body's ability to maintain its center of gravity over its base of support and allows for transferable functional movement patterns to be produced and improved.

Other differentiating features include the ability to adjust the resistance on the top surface and the angles of travel of the top surface allowing the user to progress the intensity and train symmetrically or asymmetrically. The ability to adjust the resistance is accomplished using an air bladder between the top and bottom surfaces and around the center assembly to adjust the level of resistance placed on the top surface. While the angles of travel can be adjusted using the slide and lock mechanism with travel stops. An optional accessory that can be locked into the slide and lock mechanism is the rocker board conversion assembly which limits the top surfaces travel to two planes of motion and makes the APNT function as a rocker board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. is a side view of the entire APNT according to the present invention.

FIG. 2. is a top view of the top surface accessory mounting slots and the top center alignment hole according to the present invention.

FIG. 3. is a exploded view of the center assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 4. is a view of the air bladder system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5. is a top view of the sliding and lock adjustable angle stop system according to the present invention

FIG. 6. is an exploded view of the rocker board conversion assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 7. is a top view of the bottom surface including the slide and lock mounting holes, accessory mounting holes and the center alignment holes according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Adjustable Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Training (APNT) device (FIG. 1) is a progressively challenging proprioceptive training device that is adjusted, progressed or regressed using an adjustable resistance air bladder (14) adjustable angle travel stops (13) or the rocker board conversion assembly (FIG. 6).

The user of the APNT is in contact with the top surface (21). The top surface (21) contains accessory mounting slots (25) and a top center alignment (26). The top center alignment (26) allows the center assembly (FIG. 3) to enter the top surface (21) creating a pivot point (2) at the bottom of the top surface (21) which makes the top surface (21) wobble or rock multi-axially or bi-laterally at various angles to create an adjustable proprioceptive neuromuscular training device (FIG. 1).

As shown in FIG. 1 the center assembly (FIG. 3) allows the top surface (21) to pivot multi-axially on the pivot ball (2). Enclosed in the upper hollow cavity (4) is the computer sensor (6). The computer sensor (6) is above the pivot ball (2) which is enclosed in the

lower cavity (3) and upper hollow cavity (4) which is held together with mounting screw (8) which passes through lower cavity (3) and upper cavity (4) entering top surface (21) to enclose pivot ball (2). The lower cavity (3) rests on the lower pivot base (1) which is connected to bottom surface (20) using center bolt (10) and washer (9) passing through bottom surface (20), lower pivot base (1), lower cavity (3) and is threaded into pivot ball (2) connecting top surface (21) and bottom surface (20) holding the APNT (FIG. 1) together.

As shown in FIG. 4 the air bladder system (FIG. 4) goes around center assembly (FIG. 3) and is between the top surface (21) and bottom surface (20) and includes an air inlet (16) which is attached to an air release valve (15) that enters the air bladder (14) on the side. The air inlet (16) allows the user to add air to the air bladder (14) which places resistance on the top surface (21) and forces the top surface (21) to move in a more controlled motion. The air release valve (15) allows the user to release air from the air bladder (14) removing resistance from the motion of the top surface (21) and allowing the top surface (21) to move with less control for more advanced users.

As shown in FIG. 5 the slide and lock adjustable angle stop system is mounted to the bottom surface (20) and is between the top surface (21) and the bottom surface (20) outside of the air bladder system (FIG. 4). The slide and lock adjustable angle stop system (FIG. 5) allows the user to adjust the angular motion of the top surface using the adjustable angle stop (13) which slides and locks on the slide and lock mechanism (12) and can be set and adjusted to allow for multiple angular motions of the top surface (21) making the APNT (FIG. 1) a progressively challenging proprioceptive training device.

As shown in FIG. 6 the rocker board conversion assembly contains a rocker board conversion top cavity (19) cavity closing screws (11) rocker board conversion pivot (17) and a rocker board conversion bottom cavity (18). The rocker board conversion assemblies (FIG. 6) attach to two linear slide and lock mechanisms (12) to convert the adjustable wobble proprioceptive training device into an adjustable rocker proprioceptive training device.

As shown in FIG. 7 the bottom surface (20) contains accessory mounting holes (23) slide and lock mounting holes (22) and center assembly alignment holes (24). The bottom surface (20) provides a base of support for the APNT (FIG. 1) and connects with the top surface (21) through the center assembly (FIG. 3) allowing the top surface (21) to wobble or rock with minimal multiaxial deviation from the vertical midpoint.

While different embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art of various modifications and alternatives to the embodiments could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements are illustrative only and are not limiting as to the scope of the invention that is to be given the full breadth of any and all equivalents thereof. 

I claim:
 1. The center assembly (FIG. 3) contains a pivot point at the level of the top surface (21) which minimizes multiaxial deviation of the top surface (21) from the vertical midpoint.
 2. Mounted around the center assembly (FIG. 3) and between the top surface (21) and bottom surface (20) is an air bladder system (14) that allows for various air pressures to be inserted into the air insertion valve (16) or released through the air valve release (15) as air is inserted or released into or from the air bladder it creates tension between the top surface (21), bottom surface (20) and around the center assembly (FIG. 3) which increases or decreases resistance against the travel of the top surface (21). Mounted to the bottom surface (20) is a slide and lock adjustable angle stop system (FIG. 5) which contains a slide and lock mechanism (12) that allows the adjustable travel stop (13) to slide and lock into place at adjustable intervals that change the angle of travel of the top surface (21).
 3. A computer sensor contained within the (4) is a 6-axis computer sensor (6) accelerometer and gyroscope which transmits the location, acceleration and travel of the top surface (21) and transmits viewable and recordable data in real time. 